Karate Kid: Legends Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for martial arts violence and some language.

Karate Kid: Legends’ Review

In the world of cinematic legacies, few underdog stories have endured the way The Karate Kid has. What began in 1984 as a simple story about a bullied teen and his wise mentor has grown into a sprawling, decades-spanning franchise — complete with sequels, spinoffs, reboots, and the unexpected cultural phenomenon that is Cobra Kai. Now, Karate Kid: Legends enters the ring as the latest contender in the saga. And while it’s not without flaws, it proves to be a surprisingly heartfelt and energetic new chapter that both honors tradition and explores fresh territory.

At the center of Legends is newcomer Ben Wang, portraying Li Fong — a character who carries the emotional weight of the franchise on his shoulders. This isn’t just another reboot; this is an intentional fusion of two parallel timelines: the original Miyagi-verse (anchored by Daniel LaRusso) and the 2010 reboot (headlined by Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan). Director Jonathan Entwistle, best known for quirky teen dramas like The End of the F**ing World*, steps into feature filmmaking with confidence, crafting a film that feels more like a spiritual heir than a simple remake.

Plot

Set years after the events of Cobra Kai and even further removed from 2010’s The Karate Kid, Karate Kid: Legends introduces us to Li Fong, a Beijing native reeling from personal tragedy. After the death of his father, Li and his mother (played with quiet intensity by Ming-Na Wen) relocate to New York City. Uprooted from his kung fu school and estranged from his mentor Mr. Han (Jackie Chan, reprising his role), Li is forced to navigate a new life that feels alienating and cold.

The film wisely takes its time in the first act. We see Li not as a “chosen one” or a martial arts prodigy, but as a deeply human character — grieving, angry, unsure of where he fits in. Ben Wang’s performance is layered and magnetic, balancing internal vulnerability with the kind of unpolished fire that made audiences root for Ralph Macchio four decades ago.

Of course, no Karate Kid film would be complete without bullies. Enter Brock (Aramis Knight), a brutal karate student who embodies the worst aspects of competitive martial arts. His sensei, the unfortunately underdeveloped O’Shea, leans into cliché more than character — a weak point in an otherwise emotionally grounded narrative.

The real brilliance, however, lies in the film’s central tension: Li is a kung fu student entering a karate-dominated arena. This cross-cultural clash adds a layer of philosophical richness, raising questions about discipline, heritage, and identity. As the story progresses, the line between kung fu and karate begins to blur — not just stylistically in the action, but thematically. The film makes a pointed statement: different roots, same tree.

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Legacy Meets the New Guard

The franchise’s real swing-for-the-fences moment comes when Mr. Han reaches out to none other than Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), creating the first official crossover between the original and reboot timelines. In lesser hands, this moment might have been fan service. Here, it feels earned — even if it arrives later than expected.

Jackie Chan brings a weary grace to Mr. Han, showing us a mentor who is still haunted by loss but refuses to let pain harden him. Macchio, unfortunately, is given less to do. Daniel’s arrival accelerates the film into montage mode, leaving little time to explore what could have been a fascinating ideological clash between two iconic teachers. Their brief disagreements about how best to train Li are tantalizing but undercooked.

It’s here, in the film’s second half, that Legends begins to stumble. The pacing shifts dramatically, rushing toward the final tournament in a way that sacrifices emotional beats for expedience. A 90-minute runtime simply isn’t enough to explore the full scope of what the film introduces.

What Karate Kid: Legends lacks in pacing, it compensates for in kinetic spectacle. The fight choreography — a hybrid of karate and kung fu, laced with wirework and rapid cuts — is exhilarating. At times, it borders on over-edited, with flourishes that feel more suited to animation than grounded martial arts. But in key sequences — particularly a gritty alley brawl and the climactic tournament — the action lands with precision and emotion.

There’s a tangible influence of Bruce Lee’s economy of movement, Chan’s comedic timing, and even Cobra Kai’s brutal realism. Entwistle’s camera isn’t just focused on fists and feet — it lingers on faces, on breath, on hesitation. He understands that a good fight scene tells a story, not just showcases skill.

Sadie Stanley brings warmth and subtle chemistry as Li’s love interest, while Wyatt Oleff provides levity without veering into comic relief. Joshua Jackson — in a surprisingly poignant role as a washed-up boxer — adds depth to the idea that mentors come in many forms.

The biggest missed opportunity lies in the underdevelopment of Ming-Na Wen’s character. As Li’s mother, her grief is palpable, but the script doesn’t give her enough room to breathe. Likewise, Sensei O’Shea is cartoonishly evil without any real narrative justification — a missed chance for nuance in a film that otherwise values it.

Final Verdict:

Karate Kid: Legends may not be a perfect film, but it’s an earnest one — and in this franchise, sincerity goes a long way.

What this reboot/sequel hybrid does best is give us a new protagonist who can stand toe-to-toe with franchise legends. Ben Wang is a revelation. His performance not only grounds the film but positions him as the rightful heir to the “Karate Kid” mantle. With stronger pacing and deeper exploration of its supporting cast, this could’ve been a franchise-defining installment.

Still, what Legends offers is more than enough: compelling action, a reverent nod to its origins, and a heartfelt reminder that the spirit of The Karate Kid is about growth, courage, and becoming more than your circumstances.

Whether or not this film marks the beginning of a new saga, it proves one thing — the story of the Karate Kid still has fight left in it.

Karate Kid: Legends Parents Guide

Violence & Action: There are several hand-to-hand combat scenes in the film, including a climactic martial arts tournament, schoolyard confrontations and a standout alleyway brawl. The choreography is fast paced and stylized, sometimes using wirework and slow motion to heighten the intensity.

Bruises, bloody noses and sprains are all given to characters. There is one scene that shows a character being knocked unconscious briefly. A second suggests a more serious injury in a sparring session.

A group of martial arts trained bullies target and harass the protagonist. This bullying includes physical aggression, taunting and intimidation and can be intense for younger viewers.

Martial arts style props (e.g. wooden staffs, training equipment) are seen in practice scenes, but no guns or knives are used. There is no lethal intent.

Profanity: There is limited mild language, with a few uses of “hell” and “damn.” It keeps its PG 13 rating by not using any F bombs or explicit profanity.

Teen characters exchange some mean-spirited insults and name calling, especially during confrontations.

Sex & Romance: Li develops a light teen romance with his classmate (played by Sadie Stanley). They touch hands, exchange meaningful glances and share one brief but chaste kiss.

There is no sexual content, innuendo or revealing attire.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: A former boxer character (Joshua Jackson) is implied to have a troubled past that may have involved alcohol, but nothing is shown explicitly.

There is no drug use, smoking or underage drinking shown on screen.